December 30, 2017

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish asked for the ten books that we’re most looking forward to in 2018. Here are some of the books coming out in the new year I’m excited about:

The Runaways, Vol. 1 by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka: If I’d written this list on Tuesday, I wouldn’t have heard yet that the first six issues of The Runaways comic will be collected into a book. I don’t actually want to bother reading comics one issue at a time (which is how the comics industry would prefer one to procure them at a time), so I was really hoping there would be enough interest by those who are willing to do it for the comics house to issue the book. April.

Early Riser by Jasper Fforde: He classifies this as a thriller, which makes me stressed just thinking about it, but Fforde’s works are nearly all favorites, so I have to (unless I don’t). Summer.

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith: The next installment of the Cormoran Strike detective series, which sits at the far end of my comfort zone for tension-filled novels. No date yet announced, but I’d put money on October, since that’s when the previous three books in the series dropped.

Brass by Xhenet Aliu: A book about immigrants and teens (or maybe immigrant teens?) set in Waterbury, Connecticut. How could I not read it? January.

The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg: A collection of feminist fairy tales from one of the internet’s most renowned writers. March.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: Okay, so I’d not heard anything about this book or its debut author, but apparently there’s a lot of buzz. And it has an amazing cover. March.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas: I loved The Hate U Give, so how can I not give her sophomore effort a shot? May.

Mr. Occam’s Razor by Barbara Kingsolver: Books from all four of my favorite living writers all out the same year? Be still my heart. October.

Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi: A YA story about a teen guy who sneaks off on a trip to D.C. and involves crossword puzzles, bike rides, and the zoo. Yes, please! February.

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert: Jenn raved about this one, so I’m in. January.

How about you? Are there new releases scheduled for the coming year already on your must-read list?

December 29, 2017

1. I sent Rudi, who had to work this week, home in an airplane on Tuesday so I, who had the week off, could have a couple extra days in Connecticut with my folks and a chance to spend an afternoon with my best friend, Karen. I’ll have to drive home alone tomorrow, which will totally have been worth it. Plus, if I’m by myself I get to listen to only the things I want to hear.

2. Connecticut has been hit in quick succession by ice, snow, and, now, the cold snap enveloping the East Coast. This means it’s gorgeous, if freezing, out right now, with glittering trees and snowy expanses of fields. My parents’ yard was particularly picturesque on Christmas Day, when it looked like we were celebrating in the middle of a Currier & Ives painting.

3. My parents live at the top of a long, hilly driveway, which drops off on one side into the surrounding woods. Getting up it in the winter, particularly in my 25-year-old car, can be a little dicey, so each time it’s skidded back from the ice to the pavement and revved its way over the steep curves, I have been truly grateful.

December 28, 2017

What we have here are likely the final projects of the year. With only four days left in 2017, it’s likely I can finish this cowl and hopefully these two print books — Robin Benway’s Far from the Tree and John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down. (The former is already overdue and the latter is due Saturday.) Since most of Friday will be taken up with driving back home alone, there’s a good chance I’ll also get in an audiobook, but I don’t know which one just yet.

I also haven’t yet decided which book and knitting projects will start off 2018, but I should have time on Saturday to look things over and decide. Got any favorites you recommend?

December 27, 2017

My Secret Santa presents from The Broke and the Bookish swap arrived a couple weeks ago and I’ve been remiss about sharing the goodies.

My package came from Louisiana from Emily. She sent me some fun gifts:

Emily sent me two books — Me Before You, which I’ve been wanting to read for years and A Court of Thorns and Roses, whose author, Sarah Maas, I’ve been curious about. She added Pride and Prejudice-themed book flags and a Cajun Survival Kit, which includes, among other things Spanish moss, a tabasco packet, and miniature crawfish and crab. It also contained a mosquito, which thankfully escaped during shipping.

Thanks, Emily! I’m looking forward to reading the books in the new year!

December 26, 2017

Our Christmas was very nice and included snowflakes drifting past the windows throughout the morning, Christmas tunes on the stereo, many wonderful presents, watching birds, calls with loved ones far away, and a delicious supper followed by A Pocketful of Miracles and the best trifle I’ve made in years (must have been all that laughter). It also included shoveling snow, just so you don’t get too jealous.

Now I’m going to sleep for many, many hours in a row.

I hope you had a lovely Monday and, if you celebrate, a very merry Christmas.